For our sport to be taken seriously all the teams have to be playing in modern stadia. Some of the grounds are almost 100 years old and falling to pieces. Yes I agree I like going to Salford, Wakefield, Cas, Knowsley Road etc but these facilities aren't good enough for top flight sport. Sentiment has to be thrown out I'm afraid.

I agree with this. What does confuse me is what happens next. We've got 14 current teams plus Widnes (guaranteed) and Halifax getting a shot at it. Does that mean 15 teams go into the hat (excluding Widnes) and the best 13 are in SL with Widnes?

Yes this is how it is at the moment unless the RFL decide on some sort of league expansion. (although I vaguely remember an announcement saying this wouldnt happen?) Halifax's application will now be reviewed alongside the current 14 SL teams and of those 2 will miss out.

PERSONALLY, I would like to see the following:

SL1

8 teams playing 21 games

SL2

8 teams playing 21 games

Promotion and relegation between the 2 SL divisions with a cup competition involving all SL clubs and proper 9's tournament, involving all SL clubs.

It could be that the decision on the image rights problem will be soon. IF RL clubs lose and have to pay in full then some will be in serious financial trouble.
The RFL may decide to allow one tho leave SL and bring Halifax in as they meet the criteria.
That could be why the RFL are still talking up Halifax's chances.

The SL chairmen would never vote for it, not unless there's a massive increase in TV money from Sky or whoever gets the contract.

I'd like to see a 16 team league with one of the terrestrial broadcasters getting a Sunday afternoon kick off on top of Skys current schedule. Should increase the TV money.

Would never work

The DW is soulless. I love going to the terraced grounds - much better atmosphere and experience.

doesnt count anymore, otherwise quins and crusaders would be in trouble. They changed the ruling after the Quins thing. Wakey might have gone under but were allowed to spend 1.65 million. I bet Wakeys turnover is more than Widnes's. which would give them a point. Better academy and have bigger crowds than Widnes.

You have answered your own question. You don't want the Crusaders to go, well I'd hazard a guess neither do the RFL which is why they have this cop out they introduced about not merely considering objective criteria.

As I said that is why they could guarantee Widnes a place despite the possibility of all SL sides putting in a better bid than Widnes.

I am sure if the rules had not changed and say Wakefield's bid was better but they were relegated they would seek legal redress. With the new rules that is much harder to do. It also means the Crusaders bid could be technically worse then both Widnes and Wakefields but the RFL could choose to keep the Crusaders in the SL and relegate Wakey.

If this kind of thing happens I'd expect a huge stink about it anyway so I am sure the RFL would prefer it if the issue was clear cut and the best objective bids won franchises.

The problem is expansion sides are rarely strong enough to compete outright even with well run NL1 sides after a mere 3 year franchise. It's going to take much longer than that (just look at Quins) before a purely objective system could be used. The RFL should just admit it and state which teams are immune from the drop for the foreseeable future.

Lets not forget it has taken Widnes and Halifax a lot of time and effort to get to this stage themselves so expecting a team like the Crusaders with its recent history to be as good bid-wise is possibly not being realistic. So its all about if the RFL want the Crusaders in at any price.

Because...